Illinois roadkill at a truckstop near you?

Consumption of animal carcass in Illinois could soon experience a renaissance.

Illinois lawmakers have voted to override the veto of Gov. Pat Quinn to enact legislation that is intended to prevent waste of animal carcasses while providing the state some financial relief. It took effect immediately.

The new law authorizes a person with the proper license or permit for fur-bearing mammals to be removed from roadways as long as they were in season. Essentially, licensed hunters can stop and scrape up a possum, or other appetizing critters, along Illinois roadways as long as it is the appropriate hunting season.

State law already allows people to collect deer killed by vehicles. HB3178 greatly expands the options. Resourceful hunters can either skin animals for the hide or for eating.

In his veto message, the governor said he was concerned about the safety of drivers stopped along roadways trying to gather animal carcasses.

“I cannot support a measure that places the citizens of our state in harm’s way,” Quinn wrote.

Rep. Norine Hammond, R-Macomb, said in a previous statement that authorizing people to remove carcasses would help ensure that “pelts and furs of deceased animals along the roadway will not go to waste.” She said it will also save the state money to take care of the animals.